The Wisconsin Birth Defect Prevention and Surveillance Program is responsible for implementing Statute 253.12 which was enacted in May 2000. This statute calls for the establishment of a confidential birth defects registry comprised of birth defects found in  children from birth to two years of age who are diagnosed or treated in Wisconsin by a physician, pediatric specialty clinic or hospital. Reportable conditions occur prior to or at birth and require medical/surgical intervention or interfere with normal growth and development.

• Statute 253.12 defines a birth defect as a structural deformation, disruption, or dysplasia or a genetic, inherited, or biochemical disease.

• As mandated by Statute 253.12, the Council on Birth Defect Prevention and Surveillance was formed to advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Services on all aspects of the establishment of the registry. The membership is diverse and represents multiple perspectives on birth defects surveillance.

• The administrative rules process was completed and the rules, Chapter HFS 116, took effect on April 1, 2003.

• The program received a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support the establishment of a birth defects registry.  The Wisconsin Birth Defects Registry (WBDR) was developed and piloted in 2003-2004 and rolled out statewide in the summer of 2004.

Wisconsin Birth Defects Registry (WBDR)

The WBDR is a secure web-based reporting system.  There are three reporting options:

New WBDR Report

• Wisconsin Birth Defects Registry 2007 Annual Report, PPH 40150 (publication date: January 2008).

WBDR Forms

• Wisconsin Birth Defects Registry Paper Form, DPH 40054 (revised 12/03)
• Wisconsin Birth Defects Registry User Agreement, DPH 40056 (revised 12/03)
• Wisconsin Birth Defects Registry Security and Confidentiality Policy, PPH 40078 (revised 12/03)
• Wisconsin Birth Defects Registry Parent Permission Form, DPH 40057 (revised 12/03) Sample only: Reporters are responsible for developing their own forms for obtaining parent permission

WBDR Training Documents

• Wisconsin Birth Defects Registry Training Handout (revised 11/04)
• WBDR Frequently Asked Questions (revised 7/05) 

See the following links for more information about this program:

• What is Birth Defects Surveillance
• Overview of Wisconsin Statute 253.12
• Council on Birth Defect Prevention and Surveillance
• CDC Birth Defects Grant Activities